To ensure the success of each employee relocation, we choose our suppliers based on their solid business credentials and willingness to work with us. Our suppliers include real estate brokers, appraisers, inspectors, household-goods carriers, and others.

Each supplier must also meet the following selection criteria:

• Full-time professional
• Track record of success
• Solid reputation
• Ability to meet or exceed our performance standards
• Courtesy at all times

There are also specialized criteria for each type of supplier. For example, to select a real estate broker to help market, sell, and close the sale of an employee's property, we look for certain "musts" in a professional:

• Be licensed and a member of the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
• Have in-depth experience managing the sale of employee properties
• Be a relocation director in the real estate firm, or a member of the firm's relocation department
• Demonstrate a history of aggressive marketing efforts -- past performance that confirms timely property sales at or close to the homeowner's listing price or anticipated sale price
• Complete a "broker market analysis" in the Employee Relocation Council's format in a timely manner
• Confirm a history of obtaining a timely sale at the best price
• Support the sale process through to closing
• Attend continuing-education seminars regularly

More and more relocation companies are purchasing supplier resources, such as real estate firms and franchises, but The Relocation Group does not plan to stray from its core "employee relocation" business. We believe this allows us to offer our clients the best supplier options available -- while avoiding the pitfalls of business distractions and conflicts of interest.